President Nabih Berri has assured victory in the first round, unless unforeseen developments arise, such as obstructing the quorum or entering into scenarios that might carry some surprises, as political sources informed "Anbaa" electronic news. Regardless of the stance of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), which has conflicting sentiments with some suggesting that the freedom of choice will be left to the deputies, while others indicate a strict position against granting any vote to Berri with threats of expulsion from the movement by its leader, especially since several deputies who lack chemistry with Gibran Bassil had considered voting for Berri.
However, the struggle, according to sources, continues within the same house before the "Strong Lebanon" bloc convenes, adopting the candidacy of Elias Bou Saab for the position of Deputy Speaker of Parliament, an issue that Bassil firmly opposed as he is keen on George Attallah. This and other disputes will open a persistent problem within the FPM bloc, with issues likely to continue until the end of President Michel Aoun's term. Various indications suggest that many will distance themselves from the Aounist bloc after Aoun's presidency ends.
In this context, following sources indicate that several deputies who were opposed by Bassil in the elections but are still with the movement have received a lot of advice to take a decisive stand and separate from the leader's bloc, particularly since the importance of this position lies in its current timing rather than waiting for the end of the presidential term, as it would then lose its value and seriousness, appearing more like a self-serving move related to jumping ship after it has sunk.
